By Jonathan Brown
Ballyvea manager Pierre Simon believes his team are ready to compete against the top teams in Division 1 of the Mid-Ulster League as they ease into a new season.
The Carrigenagh Road men started the season with a 1-0 loss to last season’s Division 1 champions Hill Street and followed that up with a 1-1 draw against Sandy Hill on Saturday past, after a pre-season schedule that included a 6-2 loss to Ballynahinch United, a 3-1 loss to Craigavon City, a 2-2 draw with Warrenpoint-based side Millburn United and a 1-0 win over Gilford Crusaders.
Reflecting on that tough opening day test against Hill Street, Simon says he was proud of his team’s performance.
“We would have rather started the season with a different game.
“They were a very tough team to play, but I think losing 1-0 was a bit harsh on us, because we weren’t vastly dominated at all and we didn’t concede a lot of dangerous situations.
“We did miss a few chances as well, so I think a draw would have been a fairer result.
“But in terms of attitude and fighting spirit I was very pleased, there were a lot of positives to take from that game.”
Although pre-season brought mixed results, Frenchman Simon, who first joined Ballyvea as a player back in 2017, says he was glad to get a full summer to work with his players after replacing David Heaney as manager in October of last year.
“It was a massive help to have a pre-season this year.
“The pre-season was done last year, and it was done properly, but they were playing one system and we ended up changing that when I joined.
“So the summer involved quite a bit of fitness, but it also allowed me to take a little bit of time and try to explain what I expect from the players and make sure everybody is going in the same direction.”
And the hard work put in during pre-season is already reaping rewards.
“Last season, we played so many games where we were 1-0 down after ten minutes, then from the moment we went behind we would start playing.
“I think the problem was not just about not being focused straight away, the problem was about taking the pressure off.
“If we’re 1-0 down, we’re not supposed to win it, so now we can play with no fear. That didn’t happen in pre-season and against Hill Street we started the game well too.
“Now I think they’re happy not being the underdog, so that’s an improvement,” Simon explained.
